The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-04-13
The Press and Banner.
Wednesday, April 13, 1887.
The Calhoun Monument.

The people OF the State are invited to
Charleston on the 26th instant, to witness the
unwilling of the monument erected to the
memory of John C. Calhoun, who was buried
in that city on the 26th Of April, 1850.
The city people have made great prepara-
tions for the ingathering Of their country
cousins, and If we are not mistaken, they
have put some of their large buildings In
readiness for the reception of the military
companies that may come from the country
on that occasion.
The railroads, 1t is supposed, will make spe-
cial rates for all who wish to witness the un-
yelling. which is be done by young ladies
who are more or less remotely the descend
ants of the great statesman. We learn, also,
that his male descendants will have places IL
the picture as marshals or otherwise. This
will make the Goth great day in the history
of the Calhoun family who have received
national fame because Of the greatness OF
their ancestor.
1t would seem right and proper that these
ceremonies should be, as far as possible, per-
formed by some Of those who are OF kin to
the dead. The evulgar rabble, We believe. nave
been rightly made to stand aside, so far as
any active participation in the ceremonies
are concerned, and we see no reason why
stranger, and not some kinsman, was chosen
to deliver the address on that occasion. BY
what right did the committee call on Mis-
sissippian to do this? Is there not Of all the
distinguished Carolnian's surviving relatives
at least one who could have been equal to the
occasion3 II not, then could not the State OF
South Carolina lave furnished man worthy
OF the honor? II SO. then why go out OF the
family, and out Of the State, for an orator? 4?
We are sure that the committee could, In the
person Of Col. o. T. Calhoun. have found
worthy and competent orator, or Colonel Pat
Calhoun, OF Atlanta, Georgia, would have
done honor to the occasion. The
committee should, in our opinion, state
their reasons for appointing an outsider to the
distinguished position Of orator, while the
relatives of the dead statesman have been as
signed to such minor positions as marshals,
unveilers, scene shifters, committee men,
ushers, etc. In honoring the dead, the
living are deserving Of respect. While a
stranger is honored above all others, those
who are near and dear to the dead statesman
have been cbucked off in corners or places Of
little or no consequence Why should they
be retired to minor places, while strangers are
brought to the front and honored above ev-
erybody else?
This is perhaps the last grand gathering OF
all the Calhouns, and we think that they Of
right, should have had one OF their number
assigned to the highest place in the ceremo-
nies which will forever be most notable
event in the history Of this old and honored
family.
We are much surprised If the kinsmen and
kinswomen of the dead statesmen do not
smother within their own breasts expression
to the righteous indignation which they
must feel at the action Of the committee in ig-
noring the members Of the family or in as
signing minor places to them.